Chosen

One who is the object of choice or of divine favor. 

As human beings, we put high value on being chosen. It is instilled in us from childhood on. For instance, do you remember picking teams for kickball and how there was always one kid that was the last to get picked? Do you remember the feelings associated with those moments? I do. As children, we had to grapple with what it meant when people did not choose us.  For many of us, those childhood moments shaped our identities in one way or another.

Today, some of you may feel unwanted, overlooked, unloved, or downright rejected because those you hoped would choose you didn’t. Let me tell you a secret. I understand.

Yet, somehow, I am resolved that I am chosen. 

Did you know that YOU are chosen too? Meaning you got picked for the team. You have a place at the table! You’ve been hand-selected. 

Just as God gives us the ability to choose, He chooses. He chose you and I. I want to encourage you to shift your perspective to the One who chooses you daily.

For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen YOU to be his own special treasure.

Deuteronomy 7:6 NLT

How do I shift perspective?

Instead of focusing on who did not choose you, start focusing on Who did. Jesus. Jesus chose each of us before we had the capacity to choose Him. I’m sure there were other options, but He still chose us. Hear what Jesus says:

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

John 15:16 NLT

Now we get to choose Him above all others. As you journey to set your focus on Him, I encourage you to remove distractions so that you can devote yourself to prayer and worship. I have linked a song that has been ministering to me lately to help you start.

Prayer:

Dear Father, I thank You for moments like this where we can intentionally seek Your presence. I thank You, God, that every time we seek after You, we find you. Father God, right now I pray for the person reading this. I believe You sent them here for a purpose. From this day forward, I pray that their perspective is different. I pray that they know without a shadow of a doubt that they are chosen by You. That they belong. That they are precious to You. Father, give them holy confidence. Help them to shift their perspective to focus on Your face. I pray healing over them. Father, heal every broken heart. We love You, Lord. I thank You that worry is no longer our portion, because we are choosing to trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

And with that…Rest, my friends.

Big hugs, 

Ayanna